Big win for Djokovic. Was the event even bigger?
Posted by tennisplanet on November 8, 2009
I mean he completely shuts out a clown with two bagels then saves three freaking match points in the semis and then convincingly eliminates the overwhelming favorite kid – in his own den.
Can it get any freaking better for your psyche? Sure. Should have been a Slam?
Federer paid the price for the ‘house house’ layoff, home court complacency and easier drive through the draw.
But considering how important this must have been for him, aside from the Slams, it’s a pity that he wasn’t able to step his game up to meet the challenge. Federer is now on a losing streak at two of the most coveted titles – for him.
Djokovic however is relishing in the glow of being in the best shape at this time of the year. With both Nadal and Murray not being able to cope up with him of late, this could prove to be the most fruitful months for Djokovic.
Djokovic was 960 points away from No. 2 before this event. This win and the solid momentum he has built up for the remaining events of the year, he may be coming up on his third shot at moving to No. 2 by displacing Nadal.
With Federer losing points here, Djokovic may now be looking past Nadal for the first time. If Federer continues to falter that ‘considered a foregone conclusion’ year-end No. 1 rank may suddenly come up for grabs. And so far no one appears better positioned to make a move on that than Djokovic.
Could this be the turning (event) point for Djokovic?
gilly said
TP I guess he had things to prove going into the lion’s den.
jennifur said
dont know what it “means” but just a gr8 gr8 win. kudos to nole.
MM said
great win for Novak-good for him
Sol said
I disagree TP, there is nothing impressive about this win. Roger played very poorly, anyone else would have been baggeled, it’s a miracle he managed to win the second set. Djoko didn’t do anything special and it surely doesn’t indicate that he’s above everyone else right now. Again, I saw his matches against Stan and Stepanek, it’s a miracle Djoko made it to the final in the first place and he’s lucky the swiss crowd is very fair. Roger gave away the match today. Nothing was working for him. I want to see Djoko in Bercy, that’ll be a good indication for me.
MARIE said
I though Djokovic playing in Basel was surprising, so winning in Roger’s hometown tournament is somewhat impressive. Even if his play wasn’t stellar, he held on to win knowing that almost every single person in that stadium wanted him to lose. And that’s no small thing for Novak.
MARIE said
That should be “thought”, not “though”.
Sol said
No, that’s no small thing for Novak, I agree. Good nerves and no choking is impressive. Btw, I don’t think every single person there wanted him to loose. I was there yesterday and the swiss crowd really likes Djoko. Obviously they’d rather have Roger win, but I don’t think they were that heart-broken, especially because Roger was playing poorly. Plus, I saw yesterday that there were many serbs in the crowd (we have a big serb community in Switzerland). I was actually a little shocked yersterday because some serb fans watched the Djoko-Stepanek match and then left the stadium when Roger’s match started. Another group of serb fans yelled out “Vamos Rafa” when Fed was getting ready to serve at one point. Don’t know if any of you heard it on tv but noone in the crowd booed or said anything. I thought it was in poor taste. So I can only imagine what it will be like if Roger plays in Serbia one day. Ouch.
jennifur said
noles played well since cincy. got to finals there, to semis uso, won bejing, semis in shanghai, barely lost to davy there, and now won basel. tp is pretty much right. djok is playin very well. it shudnt take paris to prove that imo. both steps and wawa played gr8. nole earned those wins. fed made lots of errors tdy but served well (10 aces, 71% first serves), nole stuck with it. neither were at their best but nole won. gr8 win!
jennifur said
why is he lucky the swiss crowd is fair sol? id hope crowds r fair. thought the swiss + fed were v/nice + sporting. good 4 them!
Sol said
because crowds support their own player, especially someone like Fed who’s considered a god in his hometown and country. It’s only normal. But the swiss crowd was really fair and cheered on both players, which is a big booster for anyone, even more so someone like Djoko who really needs the crowd’s support and approval.
And yes, Djoko has played well, but not great. And to beat Fed, you usually have to be great, especially in his hometown. Today, Roger was far from playing his best, anyone who saw the match could say that much, his forehand was way off. I’m not saying Djoko didn’t deserve it, he was the better player, but imo, this win has more to do with Fed playing poorly than Djoko being above everybody else right now.
jennifur said
true but most crowds r fair.
feds fh was off. but nole wasnt playin his best either.
nole just played the best when he had 2 and fed didnt. but thats what a player has 2 do 2 win as u know.
play the important pts well.
nole did.
so its a gr8 win imo.
dont think hes above everyone either but his form has been consistently good + he deserves kudos is all.
Sir Vibhudi Aatmapudi said
Good win for Novak. This will boost his confidence by miles. By the way, TP, RF won 300 points
Claire said
What? I think Federer will lose pts. cuz he won the tournament last year! Right?
Jenny said
Isn’t it now a 500 series as opposed to a 250?
Claire said
Looking at Federer’s point breakdown on atp site, looks like Federer didn’t include Basel in last years pts.(500 tournaments) or did last year drop off already?? On Federer’s site, last year results showed Basel being played Nov. 19! Soo, is that what you are talking about SVA?? Would be great if that’s true and Federer would gain 300 pts. Maybe that’s what made it not a total lose for Federer!
I tried to get on Federer’s site and can’t – there probably are too many people trying to comment – shows Federer is loved by so many. Can’t feel too sorry -Robbie (announcer – can’t remember last name) mentioned this week that Federer has made 50M in tennis winnings and he said you probably multiply that by 3 to get a true amount Federer has made!
I really enjoy some of the announcers comments (Robbie ?) – “happy wife, happy life” was one of them
jennifur said
exactly claire. no need 2 feel 2 sorry 4 fed. think hes sitting pretty!
instead b happy 4 nole!!!
jennifur said
robbie koenig or koeing?
monique said
It is Robbie Koenig, an ex tennis player from South Africa. Love him.
http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&resnum=0&q=robbie%20koenig&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
monique said
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Ko/R/Robbie-Koenig.aspx
monique said
Robbie Koenig……
Claire said
Jennifur,
Which do you mean – Federer gains 300 pts. cuz he didn’t count Basel last year? Do you really know how to calculate pts. and when pts. fall off,etc.?
Many of us her really don’t know including me but I keep trying!
Claire said
I think it’s Koenig but glad you know who I’m talking about – I believe he’s South African. They talk about the funniest things. Didn’t catch the whole conversation but they were talking about how hard it’s to get driver’s license in South Africa – joking that you can take the test every day and something about 4 years – maybe that’s how long it took Robbie?
Does anyone know if that is true about getting South African drivers license?
jennifur said
claire sorry i am terrible at maths. i mean fed has won so much, lots of $$$$ and still is #1!! so no need 2 feel bad 4 him.
yes think koenig (thx monique) is funny + good commentary.
Claire said
Monique, never would have thought Koenig looked like that!! Thanks. That images site is great!
They showed Koenig in stands during Tsonga match today – about 2nd set; I think one game each!
I still am shocked, I never,ever thought he looked like that. He even had an orange scarf around his neck, wow! I thought he was an older man!
Is that what most of us would say if we saw a (legite) picture of each other???
Claire said
But still want to know why SVA thinks RF will gain 300 pts.?? SVA where are you to respond?? I the type that just can’t wait to know something important – was caught one year unwrapping Christmas presents before the 25th – My Mom wasn’t good at hiding presents that year!
Sol said
Claire, I’m not entirely sure about this, but I think Roger will drop 250 points from last year’s basel tournament but since it’s an atp 500 now, he’ll gain 300 for runner-up position. Correct me if I’m wrong, Sir.
Sir Vibhudi Aatmapudi said
Correct Sol
Claire said
Thanks guys! (doesn’t mean you are necessary “guys” – it’s a northern phrase
Jenny said
The Spanish crowds were very fair imo, they usually are even during DC at home, where it’s good natured enthusiasm and music. The situation in Madrid a couple of years ago [Berdych/Nadal] was an exception rather than the rule, Berdych did wind them up after, and they really did him the bird [excuse the pun], he was cocky and made the wrong decision at the time. He learnt a harsh lesson that night, because they carried their anger through to his next match and he lost because of it, Gonzo whacked him off the court lifted by the crowd. Last night they were understandably behind Verdasco because he’s Spanish, but not overwhelmingly so because he’s not a local boy from Valencia, Murray got good support from the crowd as did Youzhny today.
jennifur said
true jenny. feel most crowds r fair unless spurred by something a player does. sometimes crowds r overly sensitive in this way but generally not. french crowd can b least sporting imo.
Jenny said
I’m afraid the French crowd can be grim, especially at this year’s Open. They were booing players just for rightly questioning a line call, they booed Rafa for losing, he did nothing wrong to spark off that irrational reaction. I rather liked it when the Russian girl booed them back!
Sol said
Sorry, but I disagree again. The Madrid crowd was not very fair during the Djoko-Nadal match this year, nor during the final where they booed Roger a few times and applauded his errors. The NY crowd can be equally as annoying as the french crowd when an american is playing. Actually in Slams, the brits and the australians are the only polite ones, they cheer for their countrymen of course but they don’t boo or diss the others.
jennifur said
well…. the brits did boo gasquet gainst murray and aussies did boo nole gainst fed at slams in 08.
guess all fans get unruly sometimes….
but think theyre fair…in general.
cept frenchies who seem 2 hv predilection for booing…lol. just kiddin
Jenny said
I don’t remember that Djoko/Nadal match in Madrid, so I bow to your knowledge on this one, Sol. It could be I didn’t see the match, I’ve never known Roger to deliberately wind a crowd up against an opponent, did Novak do anything to set them off?
Sol said
Right, forgot about the gasquet incident. not cool. but that was provoked by Murray a little.
The aussies booed Djokovic? I don’t remember that at all.
But the french are pretty much the worst, no argument there. The way they treated Nadal this year was shameful.
Sol said
No Jenny, Djoko didn’t do anything. It was just an intense match, one of the best ones this year and it was a third set tie-break. The crowd was really booing Djokovic and you can see he was getting pissed.
Jenny said
I know some of the Greek fans were particularly obnoxious and taunting to Gonzo at the AO a couple of years ago when he was playing a Greek player. It was not instigated by Gonzo’s opponent who felt totally embarrased and ashamed by it all.. Unfortunately, in a lot of cases it takes a small unsporting element to start a chain reaction in a crowd.
Jenny said
Thx Sol, I think I would have been pissed off too.
Pommesdesuisse said
Great comments, Sol… Agree with everything…
Raj said
Claire, what the announcers were commenting was the news story about this woman in South Korea who passed the written exam for driver’s license on her 950th try having failed to get the minimum 60% in her previous 949 near daily attempts since April 2005. She spent $4200.00 in application fees alone. They were jockingly comparing her to Fed’s failure to convert 7 break points in that one game.